Northrop Grumman Space Systems, Multi-Domain Operations, and Missile Defense Integration Business Unit (BU) has an exciting career opportunity for a Principal/Sr. Principal Modeling and Simulation Systems Engineer – Level 3 or 4 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be in Colorado Springs, CO.
Position Overview:
The Systems Engineer – Level 3 or 4 will support a growing portfolio of programs and IRADs that focus on missile defense, space, and intelligence and will support various modeling, simulation, and analysis (MS&A) project teams performing modeling and simulation engineering utilizing government tools and standards.
Essential Functions:
This position will specifically focus on the development of models and simulation using Government Off-the-Shelf (GOTS) tools like AFSIM in a classified environment.
Seeking candidates who find satisfaction in working on challenging and diverse assignments in collaborative settings across all levels.
This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on qualifications listed below.
This requisition may be filled at either a Principal Modeling and Simulation Systems Engineer – Level 3 or a Sr. Principal Modeling and Simulation Systems Engineer – Level 4.
Basic Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications for Principal Modeling and Simulation Systems Engineer – Leve 3: Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university and 5 years of related work experience, or a Master's Degree in STEM and 3 years of related work experience, or 1 year of related work experience with a PhD in STEM.
Basic Qualifications for Sr. Principal Modeling and Simulation Systems Engineer – Level 4: Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university and 8 years of related work experience, or a Master's Degree in STEM and 6 years of related work experience, or 4 years of related work experience with a PhD in STEM.
Applicants must have a current, active in-scope DoD-issued Top Secret security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility at the time of application, which is required to start
Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% to support business needs
Experience utilizing modeling and simulation tools like AFSIM, Ansys STK, or a similar modeling and simulation framework
Experience mentoring and developing junior-level engineers
Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively in a team setting
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s Degree or PhD in a highly technical STEM discipline
Experience writing or reviewing complex technical white papers or dissertations
Experience with modeling behaviors of space assets, such as orbital maneuvers
Experience using the Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling (AFSIM), Ansys Systems Tool Kit (STK), or a similar mission-level modeling and simulation framework
Experience supporting proposals for capture efforts
Experience performing operations research activities such as mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, and optimization
Experience conducting trade studies and familiarity with trade study methodologies
Experience with formal verification and validation processes
Experience using agile development methodologies
Skills Required
- Principal (Level 3) qualification: Bachelor's Degree in STEM and 5 years related experience OR Master's in STEM and 3 years OR PhD in STEM and 1 year
- Sr. Principal (Level 4) qualification: Bachelor's Degree in STEM and 8 years related experience OR Master's in STEM and 6 years OR PhD in STEM and 4 years
- Current, active in-scope DoD-issued Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility at time of application (required to start)
- U.S. Citizenship (positions with government clearance)
- Experience utilizing modeling and simulation tools such as AFSIM, Ansys STK, or similar frameworks
- Experience mentoring and developing junior-level engineers
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 10%
- Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively in a team setting
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience supporting classified programs in a secure environment
- Preferred: Master's Degree or PhD in a highly technical STEM discipline
- Preferred: Experience writing or reviewing complex technical white papers or dissertations
- Preferred: Experience modeling space-asset behaviors (orbital maneuvers)
- Preferred: Experience supporting proposals and capture efforts
- Preferred: Experience with operations research (mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, optimization)
- Preferred: Experience conducting trade studies and familiarity with trade study methodologies
- Preferred: Experience with formal verification and validation processes
- Preferred: Experience using agile development methodologies
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.







